Record time for chopper engine change

Working in temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, a small team of engineering personnel from No. 9 Squadron carried out a complete engine change on an Iroquois helicopter in the field, in a record time of one and a half hours. The previous day the helicopter had just lifted off from Kangaroo Pad at the 1st Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat and was in hover at about 3 feet when a loud bang was heard followed by sheets of flame erupting from the engine. All power was lost but the pilot put the machine into a successful autorotation and landed safely. When the news of the break down was received at the Squadron's base at Vung Tau, some 18 miles south of Nui Dat. With it went a technical team of five airmen under the direction of the Squadron Engineering Officer, Squadron Leader Keith Taylor.